Carrier for pneumatic-despatch tubes.



B. U. HILLS.

CARRIER FOR PNEUMATIC DESPATCH TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I8. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. HILLS.

CARRIER FOB PNEUIVIATIC DESPATCH TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED itl-28.18, 19091 Patented May16,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y 5657541 Zg .35

z l' Z9 LESSQ.

B. U. HILLS.

CARRIER FOR PNEUMATIC DESPTCH TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.18, 1909.

Patented May 16, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

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'UNITED STATS PTENT illlblbllltllil.

BURTON U. HILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF TO l/VILLIAMD. PICKELS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CARRIER FOP., PNEUMATIC-DESPATCH TUBES.

messias.

Application filed February 18, 1909.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known' that l, BURTON U. HILLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, county oi Cook, and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and usei'ul Improvements in Carriers forPneumatic-Despatch Tubes, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to a carrier or container for receiving variousarticles to be transported through a pneumatic despatch system.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple and reliable device ofthe kind described wherein the weight ci the carrier and its load ispartially supported by the atmosphere in the tube.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described and moreparticularlypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like or similar referencecharacters indicate like or corresponding` parts; Figure l, is alongitudinal vertical section of a carrier shown in `position in adespatch tube. Fig. 2, is a section taken substantially on line 2 2 ofFig. l, with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction.Fig. 3, is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the parts in operatingposition. Fig. et, is a partial section talren substantially on line sl.of Fig. 2. `Fig. 5, is an elevation of a slightly modilied form of mydevice with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction. `6,is a section taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. Fig. 7 is 'apartial section taken substantially on line 7 7 of Fig. 6. S, is a viewsimilar to that shown in 6, but showing a slightly modied form of mydevice. Fig. 9, isa longitudinal vertical section of a slightly modifiedform of my device. l0, is a section Ataken substantially on line l0 10of Fig. 9. Fig. 1l, is a view similar to Figs. l and 9, showing anothermodified form of my device. Fig. l2, is a section taken substantially online 12-12 of Fig. ll.

In the preferred vform shown in Figs. l to l of the drawings, l is ashell or body of suitable form adapted to receive the various articlesto be transported and preferably provided with a cover 2 or othersuitable means arranged to close the shell. to prevent Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented lllay t6, wie.

Serial No. 478,528.

the accidental loss of articles from the carrier. As shown the shell lis a hollow cylindrical receptacle, formed of any suitable material andclosed at both ends, preferably considerably smaller in diameter thanthe interior of the tube 3 in which it is to opcrate. A. flange ecorresponding in size to the interior of the tube in which the carrier1s to operate is provided for each end of the shell l, each preferablyattached to the end of the shell so as to permit a suitable movementbetween the shell and iange. As shown each ange 4 is provided on itsperiphery with a ring of leather, felt or other resilient material 5adapted to lightly press against the walls of the tube and operate as apacking to prevent the passage of air or other fluid between the flangesand the walls ot the tube.

The flanges 4 4 may be attached to the shell 1 in any suitable manner.As shown a stud 6 is rigidly secured to the shell l and fits a suitableopening in the liange 4t to pivotally connect the same to the shell. Astop 7 is provided upon the shell extending through a slotted opening Sin the flange tc limit the movement between the flange and shell.

Suitable partitions or equivalent means are provided for separating thespace between the periphery of the shell l and the tube 3 above thecenter line, from the space below the center line of the carrier. Asshown a pair of projections 9 is provided on opposite sides of thecarrier one at each end and a laterally 'flexible member l0 cxtendsbetween the projections and is suit ably attached to each, so that thecentral portions of the member may move laterally without disturbing theprojections 9.

In the 'form shown suitable springs Il ll are provided between themember and the wall of the shell to normally maintain the member at thepredetermined distance "from the wall of the shell, and a strip ofleather,` felt or other suitable resilient material l2 is provided uponthe outer face of the member l0 to insure a tight and elastic contactbetween the tube 3 andthe part 10 ol" the dividing mechanism. Suitablemeans are also provided to prevent the passage of fluid through theopening between the member `l() and the side of the shell.. As shown astrip 1.4L of prepared canvas, leather or ether .ilegible material,impervious to air or eff gas is secured along one edge to the member 10,its other edge is secured to the side of the tube and its ends to theprojections 9, or other suitable parts of the device thus providing anair tight flexible closure for this opening.

Any suitable means may be provided to control the pressure in the spacesbetween the tube and shell below and above the partitions, at the centerline of the carrier so that the fluid pressure in the tube tending` topropel the carrier will also tend to support the carrier in the tube. Asshown an opening 15 is provided in each flange and a correspondingopening 16 is provided in the ends of the carrier so arranged that whenthe carrier is at the lower limit of its movement relative to theflanges the openings 15 and 1.6 at each end of the carrier willregister, permitting fluid to pass through the end of the carrier andthe flange at this point. When the carrier is raised the coperatingfaces of the flange and carrier will operate as a valve to control thesepassages. As

I, shown a tube 17 is provided at the rear end of the carrier extendingfrom the opening 16 to the space at the bottom of the shell, and asimilar tube 1S is provided at the forward end of the carrier extendingfrom the opening 1G to the space at the top of the shell. When thusarranged it is obvious that with the shell or body at the lower limit ofits movement in relation to the flanges, direct communication isestablished between the space at the rear of the carrier and the spacebelow the shell7 direct communication is also established between thespace at the forward end of the carrier and the space above the shell.When thus arranged, if the carrier is inserted in a tube in which acurrent of air is flowing the carrier will tend to move longitudinallyof the tube. The pressure in the tube will of course be greater at therear end of the carrier than at its forward end and as the pressurebelow and above the carrier corresponds to that at the rear and frontend of the carrier respectively the excess of pressure below, over thatabove the shell will. tend to force the shell upward, thus graduallyclosing the openings 15 and 16 and cutting off communication betweenthese spaces and the spaces in the tube at each end of the carrier andpreventing any undue upward pressure upon the carrier.

The openings 15 and 1G may be of any desired form. As shown, the opening15 is triangular with the apex of the triangle upward, and the opening1G is provided with a straight bottom side corresponding to the baseofthe triangle, the other sides of the opening being of any form orarrangement so that when the carrier is at the lower limit of itsmovement the opening 15 will be whollyunobstructed. When thus arranged 1it is obvious that as the shell is elevated by the pressure upon itslower side the area of the unobstructed portion of the opening l5 willrapidly diminish, thus accurately controlling the passages between theends of the carrier and the top and bottom of the shell.

Any suitable means may be provided to control the position of thecarrier in the tube. In the form shown a suitable weight 19 is providedupon the lower side of the shell. to serve as ballast to maintain thecarrier in an upright position, if preferred however, the cross sectionof the tube and flanges may be such as to prevent rotation ef thecarrier in the tube, for example a rib or projection 20 may be providedextending longitudinally of the tube in which the car- 'rier is adaptedto operate, as shown in Fig.

8, and a recess formed in the periphery of the flanges to cooperate withthe projection 2O for this purpose.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the flanges 25 are rigidly connectedat the top and bottom by rods 26 and at the sides in termediate the topand bottom by suitablev partitions 27 and 28. The partitions 27 and 28may be formed in any suitable manner. As shown, the shell l is pivotallymounted upon a rod 30 extending between the flanges and forming a partof the partition 27. The outer portion of the projection 27 comprises alaterally flexible member 29 having a resilient cushion 31 upon itsouter face, suitable springs 32 or other resilient means are providedbetween the hinge parts inclosing the rodA 30 and the member 29 to aidin maintaining the parts 29 and 31 in suitable relation to the remainingportions of the carrier. A strip 33 of prepared canvas, leather or othersuitable flexible material impervious to gas or other fluid is providedwith one edge attached to the member 29, its opposite edge to the wallof the shell adjacent the rod 30 and its ends attached to the flanges toform a fluid tight closure between the member 29 and the shell.

The partition 2S consists of two members 3% 35 extending longitudinallyof the car rier and suitably spaced from each other. These members arepreferably each rigidly attached to the flanges 25 and provided with asuitably resilient cushion 36 and 37 upon their outer faces. The member34C is preferably flexible laterally and suitable springs 38 orequivalent means are provided between the members to maintain the samein proper operative position. A strip of suitably flexible material 39impervious to gas or other fluid is attached to the parts to form afluid tight closure between the parts 34 and 35. In the form shown theparts are so proportioned and arranged that the flexible cushion 36 willcontact with the tube in which the carrier is adapted to operate, whilethe face 37 contacts with and forms a substantially fluid tight joint atthe outer face of the shell l so that in operation the shell 1 Vis freeto `move, vertically" in relation to the anges without permittinganyappreciable leakage of lui d pr'astA the partitions 27'and 28'.Openings 40and 41, also ducts 42 and 43 are provided similar to theopenings l5 and 1G and ducts ,17 Vand 18 respectively shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3 and operate in substantially'the same manner.` kSuitable meansarealso provided for maintaining'thecarrier in an upright positionhereinbefore described.`

As above described it is obviously IleCesf sary that care be taken toplace the carrier in the tube so that the Acarrier will move in onedirection only, that'is, with'the right end in advance, otherwise theair pressure would tend to orcethe carrier downward toward the bottom ofthe 4tube thereby increasing` the friction between the carrier and thetube. To avoid this diiiiculty the formof my device shown in Figs. 9 and1Q is provided. In this formthe general construction of the carriercorresponds with theconstruction shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 except, thatyin place of the ducts 17 and 18 the ducts are formed the same atbothends of the carrier. lIn'thisv form the ductv 45 commences at thetopof .the shell and passes downward slightly at one side of the opening16, toa point well beyond lthe opening, thence it curves upwardto`,"and"passes the opening, thence it curves downward terminating atthe lower face of the shell. The opening 16 communicateswith the centralportion of the duct, and is provided with a valve 46 positioned in theduct below the opening and a valve 47 in the duct above the opening,vboth valvesV opening upward so that in the duct at the rear of thecarrier the valve 47 `will be opened by the pressure of thev fluidbehind the carrier which will then flow through the valve and ductintothe space below the shell, the valve 46 in the duct at theforwardsind of the carrier at the sametime operating toy permit theescapewofthe fairfrom the space above the shell thusfrendering itimmaterial which endl of the carrier is'positioned foremost inthetube.

In the form'shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the flanges and shell are rigidlyconnected and an opening 49 is provided in each flange below the shellwith a valve 50 upon the proximate faces of4 the flanges to control eachopening, similar openings 51 are also provided at the upper side of ,theflanges, and valves 52 are provided at the outer face of each flange tocontrol the openings 51. A weight 53 is vShown depending from the shellto serve as 'ballast to maintain the carrier in an upright position.Obviously when thus yconstructed the carrier will operate substantiallyas hereinbeiore described,

except that the air pressure tending to operatethe carrier will not beautomatically controlled by the weight of the carrier and its contents.V

Having thus described my improvement it is obvious that Variousimmaterial modifications maybe made in my device without departingfromthe spirit of my invention hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form or con 75 struction shown.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocoperate 30 with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and belowsaid shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit thepressureI in the space above and the space below said shell to equalizewith the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively.

2. A carrier comprising a shell, means movably attached to said shelladapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above andbelow said shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permitthe pressure in the space above and the space below shell to equalizewith the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier re- `95spectively.

3. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocoperate with a Vconveying tube to inclose a 'space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port'at each end extending from the end ofthe carrier to the side of the shell adapted to permit the pressure inthe space above and the space below said shell to equalize with thepressure at the front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

4. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocoperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end ofthe carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the spaceabove and the other to the space below the shell, and mechanismcontrolling each port adapted to permit the pressure in the space aboveand the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at thefront and the rear of said carrier respectively.

5. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocoperate with a conveyingV tube to inclose a space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end ofthe carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the spaceabove and the other to the space below the shell, and mechanismpositioned in, and controlling each port. adapted to permit the pressurein the space above and the space below said shell. to equalw ize withthe pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively.

6. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end ofthe carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the spaceabove and the other to the space below, the shell, and mechanism forautomatically controlling each port adapted to permit the pressure inthe space above and the space below said shell to equalize with thepressure at the front and the lrear of said carrier respectively.

7. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end ofthe carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to the spaceabove, and the other 4to the space below the shell, and a pair of valvescontrolling each port adapted to perl mit the pressure in the spaceabove and the space below said shell to equalize with the pressure atthe front and the rear of said carrier respectively.

8. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adapted tocooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit thepressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalizewith the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrier re,-spectively, and means for controlling the passage of fluid through saidports to regulate said equalization.

9. A carrier comprising a shell, means at-A tached to said shell adaptedto cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and belowsaid shell, said shell having a port at each end adapted to permit thepressure in the space above and the space below said shell to equalizewith the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively, and means for automatically controlling the passage offluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

l0. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions attached at each endof said shell, and means extending between said enlarged portionsadapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above andbelow said shell, said shell having a port at each` end adapted topermit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell toequalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively.

11.y A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached ateach end of said shell, and means extending between said enlargedportions adapted to cooperate with a' conveying tube to inclose aspaceyabove and below said shell, said shell having a port at each endadaptedto permit the pressure in the space above and the space belowsaid shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear ofsaid carrier respec-` tively.

12. A carrier comprisinga shell, enlarged portions attached at each endof said shell, and means extending between, and rigidly connecting saidenlarged portions adapted to coo erate with a conve ing tube to incloselcooperate with a conveying tube to inclosek a space above and below saidshell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the end ofthe carrier to the sidevof the shell adapted to permit the pressure inthe space above and the space below said shell to equalize with thepressure at the front and rear of said carrier respectively.

11i.'` A carrier comprising a shell, means movably attached to saidshell adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to finclose a spaceabove and below said shell, said shell having a port at each endextending from the end of the carrier to the side of the shell adaptedto permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shellto equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively, and means for controlling the passage of fluid throughsaid ports to regulate said equalization.

15. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached ateach end of said shell, and means extending between said enlargedportions adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a spaceabove and below said shell, said shell having a port at each endextending from theend of the carrier to the side of the shell adapted topermit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell toequalize'with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively, and means for controlling the passage of fluid throughsaid ports `to regulate said equalization.

16. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached at'p each end of said shell, and means extending between said enlargedportions adapted to cooperate with a conveying tube to inclose a spaceabove and below said shell, said shell having a port at each end adaptedto permit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shellto equalize with the pressure at the `:tront and the rear of saidcarrier respectively, and means operated by the movement between saidshell and said enlarged portions for controlling the passage of fluidthrough said ports to regulate said equalization.

17. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached ateach end of said shell and means extending between, and rigidlyconnecting7 said enlarged portions adapted to coperate with a conveyingtube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having aport at each end extending from the end or' the carrier to the side ofthe shell'adapted to permit the pressure in the space above and thespace below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the i'ront andthe rear of said carrier respectively, and means operated bythe'movement between said shell and said enlarged portions forcontrolling the passage of fluid through said ports to regulate saidequalization.

18. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached ateach end of said shell, and means extending between, and rigidlyconnecting said enlarged portions adapted to coperate with a conveyingtube to inclose a space above and below said shell, said shell having aport at each end adapted to permit the pressure in the space above andthe space below said shell to equalize with the pressure at the frontand the rear of said carrier respectively, and means operated by themovement between said shell and said enlarged portions for automaticallycontrolling the passage of liuid through said ports to regulate saidequalization.

19. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adaptedto coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and belowsaid shell, said shell having a port at each end extending 'from the endof the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to thespace above and the other to the space below the shell, and a pair ofvalves positioned in, and automatically controlling each port adapted topermit the pressure in the space above and .the space below said shellto equalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively.

20. A carrier comprising a shell, enlarged portions movably attached ateach end of said shell, and means extending between said enlargedportions adapted to coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a spaceabove and below said shell, said shell having a port at each endextending from the end of the carrier to two points upon the side of theshell, one to the space above and the other to the space below the shelland a pair of valves positioned in and automatically controlling eachport, adapted to permit the pressure in the space abo-ve and the spacebelow said shell to equalize with the pressure at the front and the rearof said carrier respectively and means operated by the movement betweensaid shell and said enlarged portion for automatically controlling thepassage of fluid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

21. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adaptedto coperate with a conveying tube to inclose a space above and belowsaid shell, said shell having a port at each end extending from the endof the carrier to two points upon the side of the shell, one to thespace above, and the other to the space below the shell, and a pair ofvalves positioned in, and automatically controlling each port adapted topermit the pressure in the space above and the space below said shell toequalize with the pressure at the front and the rear of said carrierrespectively, and means for automatically contro-lling the passage ofHuid through said ports to regulate said equalization.

22. A device of the kind described comprising a shell, an enlargedportion near each end of said shell and a partition extending along eachside of said shell between said enlarged portions, in combination with avalve automatically operating to cut off the pressure below said shellwhen such pressure attains a degree sufficient to iioat said shell.

23. A device of the kind described comprising a shell, an enlargedportion near each end of said shell transversely movable in relationthereto and a partition extending along each side of said shell betweensaid enlarged portions, in combination with means for admitting a fluidat one end of said shell to the space below said partitions andpermitting the escape of Huid from the space above said partitions atthe opposite end of said shell.

24. A carrier comprising a shell, means attached to said shell adaptedto!" coperate with the walls of a conveying tube to inclose a spaceabove and a separate space below said shell said shell having a port ateach end arranged to permit the pressure in the space above and thespace below, said shell to equalize with the pressure in the tube at thefront and the rear of said carrier respectively.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

BURTON U. HILLS.

Witnesses:

C. M. GELLA, CHARLES I. COBB.

Uopiea of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Gommiaioner of tratt-inta, Washington, B. c.

